Culture

Mini Abe Lincoln Gets Pumped Up for Oscars

Expect mini Abraham Lincoln to bring in 'da (Illi)noise and 'da funk at Sunday's Academy Awards. The tiny statesman tossed his stovepipe hat aside to pump iron and hit the spa in preparation for his big night.

The Illinois Tourism Board has tossed its support behind the homestate hero with a YouTube video titled "Big Night for Mini Abe."

The state's Oscar push also includes live coverage of the event by mini Abe on the @EnjoyIllinois Twitter account. Follow the #MiniAbe hashtag for all the action — though, after seeing Abe's penchant for long stories in Lincoln, he might have a difficult time keeping it to 140 characters.

2. What is in its hands?

3. Are they all the same?

No. The academy has awarded nearly 3,000 Oscar statuettes since 1929, but they all have different numbers emblazoned on them.

4. Why so naked?

Original academy member Cedric Gibbons designed the statuette. He had director, screenwriter and actor Emilio Fernandez pose nude to inspire the Oscar design. George Stanley sculpted it.

5. When was the statuette born?

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave out the first statuette in 1929. Back then, it was only referred to as the academy Award of Merit. Now, it primarily goes by its nickname: Oscar. The academy officially adopted the nickname in 1939.

6. Who makes them?

R. S. Owens and Company manufatures the statuettes in Chicago. The academy says it takes three to four weeks to create 50 Oscars.

7. What are they made of?

Original statuettes were gold-plated solid bronze, but now gold-plated britannia metal has replaced the bronze.

8. What else has changed?

The base size changed several times from 1929 to 1945. The base size has remained unchanged since 1945.

9. Who won the first statuette?

The academy handed the first statuette in 1929 to Emil Jannings, who won Best Actor for The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh.

10. Is it heavy?

The 13-and-half-inch Oscar is heavier than it appears, weighing 8.5 pounds.

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